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This happens every year but this year, things are a little different.

If you want to know what, it’s that they prepared futons.

They are even very particular about the weight of their futons.

……

Is hibernation really like this?

I can’t say for sure since I’ve never hibernated myself but I imagine them staying in a hole or something.

Well, if Zabuton and the spiderlings are going to use beddings, feel free to do so.

No one will go in their way.

Some even prepared pajamas and night caps but that doesn’t matter.

Yeah, they look good on you.

The pajamas are going to be a little hard to wear though. They have to put all their legs on different sleeves.

Do they stretch okay?

They are acceptable pajamas?

Hee.

I think they are very well made.

You made pajamas for me too?

I already have pajamas but….

Ah, new type.

Okay, I’ll use them when I go to bed.

By the way.

Yeah, by the way…..

I don’t mean to interrupt you but there is one thing I really want to ask.

I’m sorry.

This is just a simple question.

Can I ask you a simple question?

Yeah, a truly simple question.

When you put on those pajamas, night caps, and use the futon in your hibernation, do you lie on your back?

Or just lying down?

…..

Hee, you have individual preferences?

Is that so?

Okay, I see.

Understood.

Ehto, those who prefer sleeping on their backs might surprise someone thinking they are dead so be careful.

-0-

Since I’m almost done doing my part in the winter preparations, I’m basically in laid-back mode.

However, that doesn’t mean there isn’t something to do.

For example, making medals.

This is my job.

Every year, I make hundreds of new medals during winter.

I need to complete it by spring which means I have a lot of spare time. Even so, if I take it easy, I’ll be in trouble later so I make one whenever I have time on my hands.

I also need to make furniture and things that can be used for games that can be exchanged for medals.

The high elves and the mountain elves help me with this so it’s easier compared to the previous one.

The other thing is to farm….in the dungeon.

Basically, what I plant there is food for those who live in the dungeon but if there ever be an emergency, it can also be used as our food.

For that reason, I have to plant a lot.

Well, we never encountered a situation where we need to use it as emergency food but we will not let our guard down.

We work with the intent of not letting anything go to waste.

Of course, there are other things to do aside from working.

Like Parent and child talk.

Especially since I haven’t seen Alfred, Tiselle, and Ursa for some time.

Ah, I met them in Shashaato City a while ago.

Maa, I don’t care.

If I say it’s been a while, it’s been a while.

I don’t know what I should talk about with them again but what matters is that I talk with them.

Yep, that’s what matters.

So, why am I playing mahjong with Ursa’s friend, E3, now?

Mahjong is a game played by four individuals.

Domaim, who was playing with them, lost too much and suffered mental damage, so he was forced to take a break.

Because of that, there aren’t enough players.

So, around the mahjong table are me, E3, Dors, and Doraim.

Maa, I can hear from E3 how Alfred and the others are doing at school so I guess I don’t mind. Since I said I don’t mind, I don’t really mind….

TN: I have no idea what’s happening here so if you don’t get anything don’t ask me.

「Hey, Doraim, what do you got? Do you have any souzu?」

「Father, just because you are losing doesn’t mean you have to cheat.」

「This is not cheating. We’re just having a chat. As proof, I no longer want my souzu.」

「You have already been warned that such tactic is not allowed. Also, don’t get me involved!」

「Doraim, father is sad. Isn’t it just choosing the means to win?」

「Only by following rules would one’s victory shine!」

「Hmph….Doraim, you’ve grown up. Hnn, it’s your turn.」

「Oh, excuse me. I don’t think I’ll be needing this.」

「Whoah, three rons! 11600!」

「F-fatherrrr! I told you I don’t need souzu.」

「Fuh, a ruthless battle.」

It’s nice that you father and son can have a bonding like this.

Maa, me and Dors and me and Doraim are father-in-law and son-in-law…..not the father and son I’ve been talking about.

By the way, in mahjong, there is a rule called “hakokirako” or “hakoshita” in which the game will end when you lose all the points you have from the start but this village doesn’t use it.

As for why, everyone said that ending it too quickly is boring.

Because of that, the game continues until everyone finishes their two oya.

As a result, even though there is an exchange of 10000 points between Dors and Doraim, E3 is still out of reach.

Of course, she’s far beyond me too.

I was reminded once again that hakoriko rule is a way of helping the weak.

This game won’t seem to be over soon.

In other words, it looks like I won’t be able to talk with Alfred and the others.

Perhaps sensing what I wish to do, E3 was very considerate of me.

「Ano, if you want, I’ll “entertain” you.」

Hahahaha, thank you.

However, that’s a bad idea, E3-kun.

I’m fine with it but for losers, what you did is an act of provocation to them.

And the dragon is a race that’s not very tolerant to provocation (according to my research).

Since they are the top of the food chain, they won’t let anyone provoke them.

「Hohoho, my apologies if what I did bore you.」

「Not at all, father. I guess things will take a turn now.」

And just like that, Dors and Doraim snapped.

Even so, that doesn’t mean they’re going to win.

「Tsumo. 8000, 16000」

「Ron. 32000」

「Tsumo. 16000 all.」

And E3’s consecutive advancements keep the game going.

I’ve been caught up so I’m losing points. Please, stop this futile fight.

And let’s cooperate to end E3’s oya.

Ah, cooperation is not something that can be considered cheating.

We’re just going to support the fastest player in the game while each of us aims for an easy win.

Can we do something like that?

Of course, we can!

I’m sure we can do it!

Dors and Doraim responded to my eye contact with eye contact.

So, how are your hands?

Can’t?

Heavy. (Meaning: It will take time to agari)

Dors can’t too?

Heavy. (Meaning: It’s too hard to advance by only pon or chi)

I can’t do anything either.

Heavy. (Meaning: It is impossible for me to move, I can only discard)

…….

I see, that means….

「Tsumo. 16000 all.」

It means it’s all E3.

Well, let’s not be discouraged and do our best.

Stay positive.

-0-

It was an hour later that I was released from the mahjong table.

Ah, the mahjong is still ongoing.

The players now are E3, Hakuren, Ursa, and Hiichirou and Raimeiren.

I would have stayed since Ursa had joined but the damage to my spirit from continuous defeat was too severe.

Let’s talk to Ursa later.

Alfred is at….

He’s talking with Loo about something.

I don’t know what they were talking about but it should be about magic.

I want to join in but I can’t.

Let’s talk to Alfred later.

That means…..

The only one left is Tiselle.

When she came back, the angels took her but I guess she’s free now.

I found Tiselle drinking tea in the living room.

Let’s have a father and child talk!

「Father! There’s something I would like to speak with you!」

Ooohh, as expected of Tiselle.

Ask me anything.

「Is it alright for me to talk to you?」

Of course.

The reason why I’m here is to speak with you in the first place.

「I see. So, who am I going to marry?」

……

Hhhhnnnnnnnnnnnn?

Excuse me.

Did I mishear it?

I thought I heard you asking me who you are going to marry.

「That’s what I said.」

Why?

Why are you asking?

「I heard that Torain’s partner has been decided so I thought you had decided on mine too.」

Why did you even think of that?

「Though we have different mothers, I’m still Torain’s elder sister. Shouldn’t the older sister marry first?」

Ah……

There’s that order but that’s not absolute.

Think about it, Doraim got married first compared to the elder sister Hakuren, right?

If you ask around, you’ll find out that there’s no need to follow such order.

「But in the academy, everyone is following the order strictly.」

Hmmm…..that’s a noble’s academy alright.

If you don’t marry in order, there will be a lot of trouble.

But maybe they can make an exception.

「The order is important to the angels too.」

Eh?

Is that so?

Don’t angels have the culture where they don’t care about things and just beat up each other to decide who’ll be followed?

「Beating is the last resort. Malbit-san said that the order will be followed first to settle things before beating each other up.」

I-is that so?

I have doubts if they even thought about following order but I guess that’s not a bad way of thinking.

I hope they do so in the future.

Maybe you’ll be exempted from that too.

「Exempted?」

Yeah.

And I don’t know who told you that, but Torain’s marriage is not set in stone.

The only thing confirmed is that he’s been proposed to.

If it’s up to me, I’ll respect Torain’s wishes.

Of course, this also applies to Tiselle’s case.

Therefore, I won’t do anything like deciding for you without asking you first.

「Father…..」

On the other hand, if you find someone who you’d like to marry, don’t hesitate to bring him to the village and introduce him to me.

「That…When I heard about Torain, I thought I’m going to be married too. However, I’m not ready to marry yet.」

Is that so?

But Tiselle is so cute.

I’m sure men won’t leave you alone.

That’s why once you think you found someone you like, bring him to the village.

Understood?

「Yeah. I’ll follow father’s instructions.」

Good.

-0-

Tiselle went back to her room while I stayed in the living room, content with our father-and-child talk. Then, Tier came in.

「Are you sure? If Tiselle finds someone, she should bring him here?」

You heard us?

「I did and I agree with it.」

Is that so?

「But, are you sure that’s the right move?」

I trust my daughter.

I don’t think she’ll bring back a bad guy.

「Is that so? There are places where it seems like the marriage partner is decided by interests alone…..」

Ah….

I guess so.

Well, the relationship between men and women is complicated and strange.

Sometimes, people get married by chance so I won’t nag about it.

Hnn?

No, that’s not it.

I just don’t want Tiselle to think that I’m a nagging father.

And I don’t think Tiselle is ready for marriage yet.

Ten more years.

No, I want her to continue to be my little girl for another 20 years.

「I wouldn’t want her to act like a little girl and miss out on marrying…. There is also a talk among the angels about finding Tiselle a marriage partner.」

If you continue that, you might come out with someone you can’t refuse so stop.

「I think so too so I’ll have them do that. Maa, no one will be happy if it is forced.」

I agree.

「In addition, I don’t want anyone to think that they can easily become Tiselle’s husband.」

Eh?

「Even if not as harsh as the angel’s trial, please forgive me for preparing and welcoming the other party with some kind of trial.」

Ehto….

「It’s just a sideshow, a sideshow. We’ll just have him fight against a dragon.」

………

「In dragon form, of course. Their power is quite limited in their human form.」

Tier.

Let’s stop talking about Tiselle’s marriage.

Tier is obviously against it.

Ah, I’m sure it will still be a long way to go.

Until then, Tiselle will only be our daughter.

-0-

Angel A: There’s no sister better than my elder sister!

Angle B: You say that but you treat your sister like a cat at home.

Angel A: N-no, I don’t love her that much.

-0-

Village Chief: By the way, I told Tiselle how you and I got to know each other…..

Tier: That’s a wonderful story.

Village Chief: …….

Tier: It’s a wonderful story, right?

Village Chief: Yes, it was. A wonderful story.

That’s what happened.